An
Independent Study project may be undertaken by second and third year students
under the supervision of a faculty member and with the approval of the Office
of Academic Services. Following are the guidelines for taking an Independent
Study Course:
1.) Students may substitute an independent study for up to six credits of course work during two semesters (up to three credits per semester) of their second or third years. Work receiving independent study credit must include a significant written component and be supervised and graded by a faculty member.
2.) In general, no professor should agree to supervise independent study projects for more than three students at any one time.
3.) Students will work with their supervising faculty members on all details concerning the scope of the project, the methods of supervising and grading the student's work (whether by letter grade or pass/fail), all deadlines and the amount of course credit to be given for the project.
4.) Faculty member's approval will normally be final. Independent Study Approval forms are available in Academic Services. This form must be completed by the student, signed by the supervising faculty member, and submitted to Tracey West, Assistant Dean for Students and Academic Advising, for approval. Students should distribute executed copies to the supervising faculty member, and keep a copy for themselves. A final signed approval form must be submitted in person to Theresa Kachmar, Student Records, Stuart M301, in order for the course to be registered. In rare cases where there are doubts either as to the sufficiency of the writing component or the feasibility of faculty supervision, Academic Services may defer action pending a review by the Associate Dean for Academic Affairs.
5.) The supervised independent study experience is intended to be at least as academically enriching and rigorous as a classroom study experience carrying equivalent academic credit. Supervising faculty should make arrangements to monitor regularly the work of the students supervised in order to assure themselves that projects are making appropriate progress during the academic period involved.
6.) No independent study project may be used to satisfy the course, seminar, or independent writing requirements of more than one faculty member. Students may not receive independent study credit for work for which they are paid or for which they otherwise will receive or have received credit.
Those interested in learning more about this option, please contact Tracey West, Assistant Dean for Students and Academic Advising, at (617) 552-1883.
Please complete and submit an Independent Study form to Academic Services for
approval as follows:
- Prepare the form in consultation with the supervising faculty member
- Obtain faculty signature indicating approval
- Submit the independent study form to Academic Services for approval
- Submit a copy to the faculty member
- Retain a completed copy for your student records